The role of government on college campuses | April 25, 2025

Summary

In this edition of CNN 10 Fun Fact Friday, Ky Wire highlights some interesting facts, like hummingbirds flying backward and dolphins having names. The main news centers around a legal battle between Harvard University and the White House over federal funding and the role of the government in campus life. The episode also covers Simone Biles' future in gymnastics, Pope Francis's legacy and funeral, and the public debut of a baby elephant at the St. Louis Zoo. The episode concludes with a shoutout to Dana Middle School and an inspiring message for the weekend.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hummingbirds can fly backwards, dolphins have names for each other, and cows have best friends, making for some fascinating animal facts.
• 😀 The White House and Harvard University are in a legal battle over $2.2 billion in federal funding, with Harvard suing after the Trump administration froze the money.
• 😀 Harvard has refused to comply with several demands from the White House, including ending diversity and inclusion programs, banning masks at protests, and giving full cooperation to immigration officials.
• 😀 A pop quiz revealed that painting was once an Olympic event from 1921 to 1948, where artists competed for medals in various forms of art.
• 😀 Superstar gymnast Simone Biles confirmed she will be at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, but whether she will compete or attend in a different role is still unknown.
• 😀 Pope Francis passed away, and people have lined up for hours to pay their respects at St. Peter’s Basilica, with his funeral scheduled for Saturday.
• 😀 Pope Francis was the first pope from Latin America, and his hometown in Argentina has been filled with tributes, including flowers and a memorial plaque outside his childhood home.
• 😀 A key part of Pope Francis’s legacy is the interfaith dialogue he promoted, particularly through collaborations with Muslim and Jewish leaders.
• 😀 The Vatican's Basilica has become a pilgrimage site, especially the confessional where Pope Francis, as a young man, felt called to become a priest.
• 😀 A baby elephant named Jet made his debut at the St. Louis Zoo, as the zoo's first-ever Asian elephant calf, born through scientific fertilization methods to help increase the endangered elephant population.

Q & A

Why is Harvard University suing the Trump administration?

Harvard University is suing the Trump administration because it froze $2.2 billion in federal funding allocated for the university. The administration is demanding that Harvard make several changes, including ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and cooperating fully with immigration officials.

What role does federal funding play in private universities like Harvard?

Private universities like Harvard receive federal funding through grants, loans, and research funds. This funding supports a wide range of academic projects, including important research on diseases like tuberculosis and cancer, as well as advancements in space exploration.

What are some of the demands the White House has made of colleges and universities?

The White House has demanded that colleges and universities, including Harvard, end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, ban masks at campus protests, and cooperate fully with immigration officials.

What did Harvard University’s president say regarding these demands?

Harvard’s president stated that the university cannot compromise on basic principles, such as defending First Amendment rights. The president emphasized that this issue is larger than just Harvard and involves the excellence of higher education in the U.S.

What was the Olympic event that involved artists between 1921 and 1948?

From 1921 to 1948, the Olympics included an event where artists competed in categories such as architecture, literature, music, sculpture, and painting. The Olympic arts event awarded medals for artistic works that celebrated Olympic sports.

Will Simone Biles participate in the 2028 Olympic Games?

Simone Biles has confirmed that she will be at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, though it remains unclear whether she will compete, attend as a fan, or take on a broadcasting role.

What did Simone Biles say about her friendship with Rebecca Andrade?

Simone Biles expressed that her friendship with Brazilian gymnast Rebecca Andrade has pushed the sport of gymnastics forward by increasing the level of difficulty in their routines. She also highlighted the significance of their friendship as two black female athletes representing different countries.

What events are planned for Pope Francis's funeral?

Pope Francis's funeral will take place on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. local time in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Thousands of people have been waiting to pay respects to the Pope, who lay in state at St. Peter's Basilica since Wednesday.

What legacy did Pope Francis leave in his hometown?

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, left a lasting legacy in his hometown of Flores, Buenos Aires. Tributes, such as flowers and plaques, have been placed outside his childhood home and school. The church he attended as a child has become a pilgrimage site, particularly the confessional where he received his call to become a priest.

What significance does the confessional at the Basilica San Jose de Flores hold?

The confessional at the Basilica San Jose de Flores is significant because it is where Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) felt his call to the priesthood in 1953. The site has become a pilgrimage location where people leave flowers and candles in his memory.

Who was Omar Abur and what was his relationship with Pope Francis?

Omar Abur is a Muslim who worked closely with Pope Francis when he was Cardinal Bergoglio. They collaborated on creating the interreligious dialogue institute, building a deep friendship over 25 years. Despite their religious differences, they shared mutual respect and worked on projects that promoted interfaith understanding.

What is the significance of baby elephant Jet at the St. Louis Zoo?

Baby elephant Jet, born at the St. Louis Zoo, made his public debut this week. He is the zoo’s first ever Asian elephant calf, and his birth was made possible through scientific fertilization methods aimed at boosting the population of the endangered Asian elephant species. Since his birth in November, Jet has grown to over 500 lbs and is continuing to grow.

What message does the show convey at the end of the episode?

At the end of the show, the host, Cy Wire, encourages viewers to remember that they are more powerful than they know and might be the spark of joy someone else needs. The message emphasizes spreading positivity and making the most of the weekend.